The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-09
EDITORIAL 8riefs.
BY REV. I. M. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton. N. Y.

| nAHN W OhlAohdnAty Hbs never Dfe0 al
tanned. It has sometimes been inti,nated
that it is possible objection to the sys-
| tenn that this ideal is unattainable. But
it was reserved for Mr. J. Cotter Ms1igon
to discover and plumply proclaim that
the Christian ideal ought not to be at
tanned. Such ideals are of very little
value to the mass of mep, he obee1ves,
and have only distant and discouraping
influence on the world at large. SO far
as the condition of mankind is actually
improved, it is effected by science. Sci
ence is the true savior OF the world. In
just what way Mr.. Morrison would de-
velop his idea of scientific salvation we
may never know, as the Atheneum in
forms us that he hes probably done bis
last work.
Imagine the effect on the world of
the disappearance of the Christian ide al.
Imagine the substitution for "the meas
nre OF the stature of the fullnees of
Christ" of heredity and natural selection
and the survival OF the fittest. It may
not be these that Mr.. Morrison means by
science; but they are among the best,
probably, of the things science would
have to offer in place of Christianity.
Now the immense contributions which
science has made to the practical solu-
ton OF the problem of human improve
ment must be gratefully acknowledged
But science, like culture, is instrumental
only. 1t is not power, but an imple-
ment. That was the eternal formula for
religion which Jesus employed: with
out me ye can do nothing"
The discussion in orthodox circles ors
the hypothesis of future probation " dis
closes more clearly than ever the funda-
mental miscouception of most of the
dlsputants as to what salvation is. The
majority OF them assume that " lost'a
soul is soul in danger of future ever
lasting punishment. Salvation means
rescue from that danger. But the teach
ing OF Jesus, and OF the New Testament
writer's generally is, that lost soul is a
soul that does not know its Father. or
does not care to seek him. Such souls
are perishing. Jesus came to make them
acquainted with their Father, and to
awaken their love for him by the mani
festation OF his love for them. This is
the Gospel idea and process. If minis
ters and missionaries would stick to " the,
way" and drop dogma they might save,
even the heRthen.
An exchange speaks of the thought
less disregard Of the proprietiss in church
by many people who would be surprised
indeed to be accused of bad manners. It
occurs to us that pastors would be in the
way OF their duty by reminding their
congregations betimes of the reouire-
ments Of Christian feeling, not to say of
good breeding. Nor would it be amiss,
many times, il the congregation, in turn.
should recite the code of etiquette for the
instruction Of the pastor. There is moth
ing religious in clownishness. It is not
required of Christian, minister or lay
man, that he be a boor. Let all things
be done decently and in order.
A reviewer in the Boston Herald
praises the late Bishop of Manchester
and holds hin, up as kind of clergyman
proper to be made into bishop, whether
in England or here in America, where
the writer remarks, it is the fashion TO
exalt nobodies into great Office. There
is intrinsic evidence that the article wae
written by a clergyman of the church
several times sharply criticised. There
are, We know, some exceptions TO the
rule OF right reverend "uobodies y; and
We are fain to believe that there are
others that We know not of. But it has
seemed to us in not few instances that
the timber of which bishop should be
made must be scarce in the Episcopal
wilderness.
The Saturday .ReUieU sharpens its
teeth on the name and memory of Henry
Ward Beecher. But the Revie,o reviIed
and belittled him in 1868 when he per-
formed the most splendid service for his
country ever accomplished by an unofficial
envoy. Besides, the ReUieac has a per-
verse habit of bespattering certain per-
sons with praise and certain other persons
with censure, for no better reason in
either case than its whim. It is quite
becoming in the ReUiew to pelt DR.
Parker with the same it throws at Mr..
Beecher's coffin; but we submit that
George w. Smallsy has no call 20 apolo-
| gize for the ReUietC nor to echo its abuse
Ingenious writer's have been show
ing us at intervals for some years now,
what new branches Of study should be
introduced into the college curriculum.
One suggests English literature, IN g.
range sufficient TO occupy the whole four
years Another nominates German met
aphysics; third marks ont an ancient
literature course which could not be com
pleted much short of a lifetime. But
these modest gentlemen are throwa quite
into the shade by Rnother's proposal TO
set the college student on a course OF his
tory which neither Froude nor Morley
could stand an examination in. Then up
rises DR.. Fairoairn and asks TO have the
oloRy admitted "a an academic discipline.
We have examined his innocent scheme
and find that he woRld be content 20.